Driving in Sydney

Sydney Driving

 

Here are some few simple road safety tips can help make your driving holiday in Australia safer and more enjoyable.      

 

For our international visitors visiting Sydney and planning to drive, you must hold a valid international driving permit accompanied by the driver licence issued in the country you live in.

                                          

Keep left!!

Australians drive on the left side of two-way roads. Ask passengers to remind you of this every time you set off and when you are turning at an intersection. You should always remember to look right, then left and then right again when you are walking across the street if there are no traffic lights close by.

 

Seatbelts and child restraints

Seatbelts must always be worn when driving. All passengers in the car must also wear seatbelts. Children under age 7 must be in a child restraint appropriate for the child’s size and weight.    

Obey the road signs

You should familiarise yourself with the road signs in Australia and make sure you obey them.

Road markings

Where the centre line marking on the road is a single broken line, vehicles may cross the line to overtake when it is safe to do so. If the centre marking has two lines you must not overtake if the line closest to your vehicle is unbroken. Where arrows are painted on the road, you must only drive in the direction they indicate.

 

Speed limits are enforced in Australia

Speed limits are strictly enforced in Australia. The speed limit is the maximum speed permitted on that road and you must not drive above the speed limit at any time. Some roads do not have visible speed limit signs, but speed limits still apply. You should be especially careful in residential areas and in school zones.    

Alcohol and drugs

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous and Australia has very serious penalties if you are caught doing this. In Australia, you are not permitted to drive a car if your blood alcohol level is 0.05 per cent or higher. If you hold a probationary or provisional driver’s licence, your blood alcohol level must be zero at all times. Driving after taking drugs that affect your ability to drive is illegal and penalties are severe.

No mobile phones

 
 
 
 
 
You are not permitted to use a handheld mobile phone when driving. This includes making or receiving calls, texting, playing games or web browsing.

 

 

 

 

 

Take a break and arrive safely

It is common to travel long distances in Australia, so you should plan your journey to include several rest breaks and ensure you have enough petrol for your journey. Rest areas are located every 80-100 kilometres on main highways and roads for people to pull over and rest when tired.

Road conditions

Road conditions can vary from a sealed road surface to gravel and unsealed roads. You should have a four-wheel drive (4WD) if you are travelling on unsealed roads. You should also avoid speeding on unsealed roads to avoid dangerous hazards like holes, soft road edges and changing road surfaces. If you do drive off the side of a road, don’t overcorrect, but slow down and return to the road when the vehicle is travelling at a safe speed. Obey road closure signs.    

 

Watch out for wildlife and livestock

Watch out for wildlife on the road, such as kangaroos, emus, wombats and koalas. Livestock such as cattle may also graze on the side of an unfenced road. You should always be travelling at a safe speed, so if an animal crosses in front of you, you can further reduce your speed. Do not attempt to swerve your car violently or you can roll off the road.

Emergency assistance

000 is the number for emergency services in Australia. They can connect you to Police, Ambulance or the Fire Brigade. You should only contact 000 in an emergency.

E-tags and tolls

E-tags and tolls

Many of the motorways around major cities in Australia are toll roads, meaning you have to pay a toll to use them. Some are also fully electronic, so you can’t pay the toll with cash at a tollbooth. Instead, you need to pay the toll with an electronic tag or a pass. You can set up a pass before you leave home or up to three days after you use the road. E-tags can often be used on motorways throughout Australia, but it is best to check with the local state roads and traffic authority to avoid fines.

Car Hire

Car rental in Australia can be extremely cost effective when planning to travel around Australia by road. When renting a car in Australia, there are certain essential requirements which are common across the car rental industry, including holding a valid driver’s licence; a credit card as a form of security; and passport for ID. You will find most of the major international car rental companies in Australia including Avis Car Rental, Hertz, Thrifty, Budget and Europcar.